The Supreme Court opened hearings yesterday on the controversial issue of Friday night television. The testimony was devoted mainly to technical and legal points. The hearings will continue at a later date.

The court has before it two orders nisi, one upholding an interim order it issued last November establishing Sabbath television and another demanding its cancellation. The interim order was issued by the court after Premier Golda Meir acted under pressure from the Orthodox political parties and over-ruled a decision by the Israel Broadcasting Authority to permit telecasts on a seven day basis.